Ukraine carried out a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia, as a result of which 70 Ukrainians were handed over to Moscow
Many of these individuals are accused of suspicions mainly related to cooperation with Russian special services, including those with close ties to participants in the annexation and propaganda efforts. Among those transferred is the prominent associate of Viktor Medvedchuk — Oleksandr Tarnashynskyi, who in previous years was one of the key figures involved in Russia- and Ukraine-directed scenarios of destabilization. According to information published by the project "Hochyu k svoim" ("I Want to My Own"), this exchange took place on May 23, 2025, and is part of a nationwide initiative supported by the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Based on data from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Verkhovna Rada Ombudsman, on that day Russia received 70 Ukrainian collaborators, while at the Ukraine-Russia border, a number of civilian hostages, who had been illegally held by Russian authorities for years, were also exchanged. The list of transferred individuals includes Oleksandr Tarnashynskyi — a public figure who established charitable funds and organizations in Ukraine, which, according to suspicions by Ukrainian security agencies, were used to finance espionage activities and aimed at disinformation of Ukrainian civil society. Official information states that through these funds, Tarnashynskyi supposedly facilitated the flow of money from Russia aimed at discrediting Ukrainian authorities, preparing sabotage operations, and eventually preparing to seize state institutions. Interestingly, Tarnashynskyi was detained on May 5, 2022. At that time, the SBU characterized his role as one of the leaders of Viktor Medvedchuk’s "Ukrainian Choice," a so-called movement that had tired of disguising itself as a broad public movement but was essentially functioning as a tool of Russian propaganda in Ukraine. According to investigations, Tarnashynskyi was directly involved in plans to destabilize the situation in the country and prepare for a power grab supported by Russian special services. Photos circulating in open sources show Tarnashynskyi alongside Viktor Medvedchuk — indicating close contact and joint activities between the two figures. As part of previous agreements between Ukraine and Russia, significant progress has been achieved in the exchange process. Specifically, Ukraine has returned over 390 citizens, including 270 military personnel and 120 civilians, demonstrating a gradual movement toward the repatriation of Ukrainian prisoners. However, this last exchange was particularly notable because individuals with direct ties to Russian intelligence operations, who attempted to infiltrate the Ukrainian information space under the cover of charitable funds, were included in the list. Overall, this exchange confirms a trend toward increased efforts to free Ukrainian citizens and highlights the complexity Ukraine faces within the triangle of diplomatic negotiations, security, and justice. The authorities aim not only to return every Ukrainian home but also to uncover the entire spectrum of sabotage networks implemented by Russian special services through their agents and covert collaborators. At the same time, the situation raises many questions regarding the mechanisms and criteria for such exchanges, as well as future steps in combating subversive activities and ensuring national security.